3 long-lasting couples reveal what keeps their love strong

Making a relationship last takes something special. Here, three couples share their secrets.

Making a relationship last takes something special. Here, three couples share their secrets.

Whether you’ve been with your partner for years or you’re a newer couple finding your feet, everybody hopes their relationship will go the distance.

But making love last – and keeping a relationship afloat over the rocky seas of family life, financial woes and job stresses – can be anything but plain sailing.

So Bold3in1, which comes with built-in Lenor fabric softener, asked three women in long-lasting relationships what their marriage’s “built-in softener” is – from creating special experiences together to making memories they’ll cherish forever.

“Take time for yourself”

Lily-Ann, 62, and Steve, 65, have two daughters and have been married for 37 years. Lily-Ann explains why pursuing their own interests has helped keep their marriage fresh…

“Steve and I tell our children the secret to a successful marriage is time apart! I’m half-joking, of course, but having our own interests has been really important to both of us.

“Steve loves sailing, while I’m a huge art fan – neither of us shares each other’s interests, and that’s okay. We both make an effort – I go sailing sometimes with the family, and he’ll appreciate the art I hang around the house – but we don’t force our interests on each other.

“I love seeing how happy Steve is when he returns from a trip, and I genuinely prefer going to galleries or art classes with my girlfriends – it wouldn’t be as enjoyable with Steve, knowing he isn’t so keen. Plus, it gives us more to talk about afterwards – how boring our evenings would be if we’d done every single thing together!”

Make time for each other, too

Jane, 66, and Lorenzo, 68, have four children and have been married for 44 years. Here, Jane has some nuggets of wisdom on husband-wife relationships…

“Lorenzo and I always make time for each other – every single day. Since we’re now retired, we both eat meals together daily – with no television on – and read newspapers together in the afternoon, discussing what we’ve read.

“Other married friends don’t seem to spend the same amount of time together as we do – maybe it’s not right for everybody – but it’s definitely helped us understand each other better and it’s been really important for our relationship.

“Also, every Friday for the past 15 years, we’ve cooked a big meal for friends and family – it’s something I still look forward to even now!”

And finally, respect each other

Mariah, 59, and Richard, 63, have been married for 33 years. Here, Mariah gives her view on how to keep a relationship alive...

“The reason I married Richard was that he always treated me with respect – he never belittled my opinions when we first met, and he still treats me with that same respect today.

“I do the same, and whenever we argue or have a disagreement, we always listen to each other’s point of view and take concerns seriously. We try not to raise our voices or argue – although we don’t always succeed!

“I genuinely believe it’s one of the reasons we’ve stayed so happy, and one of the best-kept secrets in keeping a marriage alive for so long.”

This article was brought to you by Bold3in1, which get to work right at the heart of your wash to bring you the ultimate in laundry luxury. The pods clean, soften, and come with a built-in softener across four irresistible fragrances courtesy of Lenor. Have you tried Bold 3in1 Pods? Let us know your thoughts by clicking here.

What’s your long-lasting relationship’s “built-in softener”? Share it with us in the comments section below.

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Honesty laughter love

14/02/2019

Like the lady who commented below, all details exactly the same apart from having been married fifty years this year.
We still love each other as much, if not more than when we married. We believe in being honest with each other, having fun and loving one another. We both have different interests but make time for each other on a daily basis.

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Make time to e together

23/01/2018

I first went out with my husband at 16, married at 19, had our first child at 21 and our other child at 23. We are celebrating our 48th Wedding Anniversary later this year. When our children were young, they always had a bedtime commensurate with their age and the two of us were able to enjoy each other’s company for a few hours. Now retired, we both have our own interests but still find time to enjoy our time together & always make up before bed if we have a few cross words.

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Humour and laughter

My parents were married for 44 years before Mum died in 2001 and their humour got them through some pretty tough times. The same goes for me and my man, we’ve only been together 5 years, but our sense of humour is the same, we can laugh at anything!